Skype VOIP application for iPhone is the dream of many a user and Om Malik suggests that it might be days away. Citing a “very reliable source,” Om says that Skype is ready to launch their iPhone app, perhaps at next week’s CTIA Wireless event. Means the Skype for iPhone will finally be available to download from the iTunes App Store on this week.
Most of the features aren’t too surprising Skype does want to maintain some consistency across its mobile applications, after all there are a few capabilities that are notably missing and a few iPhone-only perks that are refreshing to see.
Skype’s screens are well organized and use the iPhone’s ability to add filters, for instance, to sort your contacts alphabetically or by who’s online. There’s chatting as well, though Skype’s flagship feature is its VoIP calling that’s free to other Skype users and an inexpensive per-minute fee to landlines. Calls on Skype for iPhone work only if you’re in range of a Wi-Fi network, so your call quality will in part be at the mercy and strength of wireless networks nearby calls will not work over the network on the iPhone.
Most notably, the call quality remains iffy at best, and in some instances it’s absolutely abominable. Also, depending on your calling habits, you may not see any savings at all. Most services still charge a per-minute rate, so you’ll save on domestic calls only if you’ve exceeded your regular voice plan’s allotment (in which case you might still be better off upgrading your.
In terms of navigation, Skype’s VoIP app for iPhone looks more like your traditional iPhone application than it does Skype 4.0 for Windows. For many who already prefer Apple’s sleek interface archetype, that’s a triumph, but those who enjoy Skype’s branding may feel disappointed.
Taking a photo from within Skype to serve as your avatar image, or pulling a picture in from the camera roll are two iPhone-only features that makes use of the phone’s hardware attributes. Another imperfect, but still neat, feature is the ability to accept incoming conference calls. While you won’t be able to initiate a call, we’re told, you will be able to jump on one if a buddy invites you in. We hope the next version includes placing conference calls from the iPhone.
Skype left a few more skills out of its maiden iPhone voyage. SMS, setting up a conference calling group, purchasing SkypeOut credit directly and being able to field a second incoming Skype call are a few. File transferring and getting Skype voicemail native on the phone are two more. We expect to see at least two of these added in the next version, but we’ll hope for more.
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